Unlike most days at RainBow Bridge, this day dawned cold and grey, dampas a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivalswere confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for theyhad never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who hadspent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what washappening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge towatch. They knew this was something special.

It wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hungheavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals onthe pathway...the ones who had been at RainBow Bridge for awhile...knew the story of this sad creature immediately. They had seenit happen far too many times.

Although it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he wastotally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign ofinjury or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this doghad not been restored to his prime. He was full of neither health norvigour. He approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets whowere by now watching him. He knew he was out of place here. This was noresting place for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he couldcross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he came closer to theBridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who spokesoftly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling him that hewould not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with theirspecial people could pass over the RainBow Bridge. And he had nospecial beloved people...not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below.

With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward thefields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotteda group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm.Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren'tplaying, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserablystaring out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrivalknew he had no choice but to join them. And so, he took his place amongthem, just watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for hisspecial people, could not understand what he had just witnessed andasked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it tohim.

"That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grewtired of him. They way you see him now, with greying fur and sad,cloudy eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into thekennels. He never, ever made it out and passed on only with the loveand comfort that the kennel workers could give him as he left hismiserable and unloved existence on Earth for good. Because he had nofamily or special person to give his love, he has nobody to escort himacross the Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "Sowhat will happen now?"

As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted andthe all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen asingle figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary...aperson who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever.This figure turned toward a group of the sad animals and extendedoutstretched palms. The sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoedgently above them and all were bathed in a pure and golden light.Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as they had been inthe prime of life.

From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, agroup of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they cameclose to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tenderpat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew evenbrighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, thenewly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietlyfollowed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.

The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What happened?"

"That was a rescuer," came the answer. "That person spent a lifetimetrying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respectwere those who found new homes because of such unselfish work. Theywill cross when their families arrive. Those you saw restored were oneswho never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are permitted toperform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poorpets that couldn't place on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge. You see,all animals are special to them...just as they are special to allanimals."